Automatic stapling machine



SPfl, 1953 R. M. NARDONE 2,650,360

AUTOMATIC STAPLING MACHINE u IN VEN TOR. Agar/Ea M /VAR Db/vs Sept. 1, 1953 R. M. NARDONE AUTOMATIC STAPLING MACHINE S Sheetsshet 5 Filed Nov. 8, 1949 IN VEN TOR. QMEQ M /Vnaao/vf BY Sept. l, 1953 R. M. NARDONE AUTOMATIC sTAPLINc MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet `4 Filed Nov. 8, 1949 www? MM. mmfm .o M@ M Sept 1, 1953 R. M. NARDONI; 2,650,360

AUTOMATIC STAPLING MACHINE Filed Nov. s, 1949 5 Shana-sheer 5 lul ? Tfn/army Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITEDY STATES PARENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

`for timing the duration of each successive period .of power application, to produce perfect synchronization between the starting and stopping of power application, on the one hand, and the successively attained positions of the stapler head, on the other.

A third object of the invention is to provide,

' in a motor-driven stapling machine, novel electrical yconnections operating to interrupt the motor drive on each withdrawal stroke of the stapler head, while maintaining the motor in continuous rotation.

A fourth object is to provide, in a motor-driven -stapling machine, a novel electro-mechanical interlock operating to prevent re-establishment of the `motor drive to the stapler head, following each stapling stroke, until the material `being stapled has been (a) withdrawn, and (b) shifted to a new staple-receiving position, or replaced by new material to be stapled.

A fifth object is to provide, in a power-driven .stapling machine, novel adjustable means for causing the stapling stroke to begin automatically in response to insertion of the material into the machine to a Vdepth corresponding to the preselected marginal spacing at wh-ich receipt of the staple is desired.

`A sixth object is to providenovel mechanical motion `translating connections between a rotating shaft and a reciprocating stapler'head; such .connections including a torsionally wound spring serving, first, as a resilient thrust transmittery .and secondly, as an automatic shock absorber on each returned stroke ofthe staple head.

'Ihese .and `other .objects `of the invention will be understood upon examination of the following description of .the form of invention illustrated in the ,accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front sectional view of a machine embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side sectional view;

Figure 3 its a view in perspective of certain of the operating elements, showing their relationship to .certain other parts, and to each other;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams showing three successive positions of the drive controlling switch arm, and the corresponding positions of the solenoid-operated inter-locking element; Fig. '7 is an exterior view, on a reduced scale; and

Figure `8 is a diagram of the electrical parts and connections.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the machine.

Referring to the drawings, a geared motor I having a right angle drive shaft 2 is mounted on base 3.. Base 3 also carries the anvil-frame of the stapler unit 4, located thereon by a strap, and locked at the front Vend by a retainer 6. A multiple toothed clutch element I is ,keyed and pinned to the motor shaft `2. Housing 8 is designed to be mounted concentric with the drive shaft 2 on the outlet flange of the geared motor. This housing supports the driven shaft .9- on ball bearing Ill and plain bearing Il, the former definitely locating theshaft in the housing. Movable clutch element `I2 is splined to the driven shaft and is moved by a yoke I3 ,supported on shaft 52 in housing bore 53. Shaft 52 is drilled for the reception of a de-clutching return 'spring I4 acting between stationary housing I5 and shaft 52. The opposite end of the yoke is pinned to the end of plunger lr6 of a solenoid I1 which latter is fixed to :the -lower part `of bracket 26. Shaft 9 also carries cam member I8 which is screwed to the shaft in a manner to tighten the cam during operation. Associated with cam I8 is a cam follower in the form of a ball bearing I9 carried by operating arm 2-0 pi-voted at 2| on the stapler proper and serving to transmit .a downwardly directed pressure upon the `stapler head by way of leaf springs `22. The purpose of the springs is to form a resilient pressure transmitting agency between the cam follower I9 and the stapler head, also to take care of any tolerance variations and to yield slightly at the end of the stroke, thus absorbing shock.

As the cam I8 turns upwardly, from its low point in each revolution, thereby relieving the downward pressure on the stapler head, the usual built-in springs, not shown, become effective to press the stapler head upwardly, away from the anvil-frame; the said springs being pre-set to exert pressure upwardly at all times, as is the conventional practice instapling machines.

-A second'solenoid 23 is located in the casing parallel with the stapler and the outer end of its plunger 24 is pivotally connected to the inner end of a vswitch opening arm 25 extending through a slot `in a supporting bracket 26 and terminating in an upwardly extending'head. The bracket 26 ,power is applied when to the left when the solenoid 23 is energized as clearly shown in this gure. The switch opening arm 25 is power operated to open the microswitch 21 and in the form illustrated the switch opening arm 25 has a slot 39 which is engaged by a pin 3I on the movable head of the stapler 4 so reciprocable movement of the ,stapler head rocks the opening arm 25 on its pivotal connection with the plunger 24 of the solenoid 23. When the stapler head is moved down by the cam I8, through the pin 3l, the parallel arm 25 is carried along with it but the micro-switch is not opened. If the solenoid 23 is energized a rearward or pull to the left is exerted upon the opening arm 25 but the upward head of said arm engaging behind the lateral arm extension 29 of Vthe micro-switch 21 prevents retraction of the arm 25 until the upward head of the arm 25 is moved beneath the plane of the part 29. Then the plunger 24 of the solenoid 23 is retracted to withdraw the arm 25 to a position where its head .is beneath` the extension 29 of the micro-switch The micro-switch opening the stapler head moved up after the stapling is complete and the cam I8 has passed its low. point. The pin 3l will lift the arm 25 and the head being under the extension 29 of the switcharm 28 will open the microswitch 21 ,as best shown in Fig. 6. Upon deenergization of the solenoid 23, a spring 33 mounted at the pivot between its plunger 24 and openingarm 25 moves said parts forwardly or towardthe right until the upward head of said arm clears its operating position beneath the extension of the switch arm 29 whereupon the micro-switch 21 returns to normally closed position. Meanwhile theopening arm 25 is being moved upwardly by the return movement of the head of the stapler 4 so the head of the arm returns to its normal holding original position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Operation of solenoids 23 and I1 is brought about through a main micro-switch 34 xed in the position, upon base 3, to which it has initially 21 operating means.

been adjusted; the switch being shiftablealong a screw 31 to provide such initial adjustment. Its arm is moved by the work to be stapled. Insertion of the work closes the switch to energize both solenoidsythe current owing as indicated Yin Fig. 8. The solenoid I1 is rst de-energized as described and pulling the work away de-energizes solenoid 23. The operation ofthis portion of the system is as lfollows:

Switch 34 is closed by the work to be stapled, thereby sending current direct to solenoid 23 and, through switch 21, to solenoid I1. The plunger of solenoid 23 is prevented from moving until the stapler head has made part of its stroke downwardly below extension 29. Toward the end of the stapler stroke, the arm 25 is freed from extension'29, and moves the head of the arm 25 in under extension 29, where it is in a position to open the contacts'of switch 21 when the stapler head goes up. At thisV time, solenoid I1 is deenergized and the motor drive is disconnected. When the work is retracted, switch 34 is opened and solenoid 23 is de-energized. Its plunger spring 33 then moves arm 25 to its original outward location with its head in front of switch extension 29, permitting the same to drop back to close switch 21. Further upward movement of the stapler head moves the arm 25 to interlocking position, to prevent immediate re-operation of plunger 24 when switch 34 is closed. If this were not so, such re-operation would open the circuit to solenoid I1 before the stapler could make its power stroke.

Switch 34 determines at what point the work Vis to be stapled in relation to the leading edge of that work. Moving the switch away causes stapling to be made further back from the lead- -ing edge of the work. Thumb screw 31 serves to permit bracket35 (to which switch 34 is bolted) `to be moved backward or forward in relation to the stapler head.

A cast aluminum cover hinged at two places'. 52 to the base encloses the entire mechanism. This cover has a curved slot 53 running along the entire front serving to guide the work into the stapler and to cause contact with the operating arm of switch 34. Injury to the operator is thus avoided.

A main toggle switch to start and stop the motor is located at the front of the mounting base,v at 54. The main leads are brought in through a hole (not shown) at the back of the base.

The complete operation is as follows:

Closing toggle switch 54 starts the motor and brings current to switch 34. The part to be stapled is inserted through the cover slot in line with an arrow on the cover- (see Fig. 7) designating the location of the stapler head. (The latter may also be seen through the slot.) The work contacts switch arm 35, and closes the switch contacts to energize solenoids 23 and I1. The latter acts immediately to move clutch element I2 into mesh with motor clutch element 1 to drive cam I8. This in turn moves the stapler head down against the part to be stapled, carrying with it the pin 3| and arm 25, the latter Vclearing theV switch extension'29 and thus freeing the solenoid plunger 24 so that it moves eXtenson 25 under the strip 29. (See Fig. 5.) After the stapler completes its down stroke and moves up under the action of its own built-in springs, arm 25 also moves up to open the circuit of switch 21. (See Fig. 6.) Current to solenoid l1 is cut off by such opening of switch 21, and spring I4 disengages the clutch elements 1 and I2. Solenoid 23 remains energized until the stapled matter is drawn away, at which time the switch 34 is opened cutting off the current to that solenoid. Plunger spring 33 then urges arm 25 forward out from under switch arm 29, closing that switch (as in Fig. 4). The cycle may now be repeated.

The words stapler, stapling mechanism? and stapling machine are used herein in the broad sense, that is, to include any unit serving to apply fastening wire, pins, rivets, or other clasping means, to a plurality of sheets or layers of material to be united or even the reciprocable head of a marking machine; and the structures illustrated are merely suggestive of any and all mechanical equivalents capable of being substituted into any complete organization directed to the practice of the invention disclosed.

What I claim is:

1. In a stapling machine or the like of the reciprocable head type, an electric motor and a circuit, a main control switch for said circuit closed by insertion of the work in the machine Aand opened when'the wor-k is removed, head depressi-ngmeans, a clutch between the head de- `pressing means and motorthat is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means energized by the closed circuit to clutch the head depressing means `to the lmotor to depress `the head, a normally closed switch in said circuit unaffected during head depression but opened by 'return movement of the head to Lbrea'k the circuit `-to the electro-magnetically operated clutching means and permit spring return of the clutch to disconnect the `head depressing means and motor, switch opening means movable with the head, means normally holding said switch opening means against movement to switch opening engagement during depression of the head, and `means to -move said switch opening means into la position to release the holding means therefor 1a-nd to `permit it to open said `switch after Vthe downwardmovement of the head is completed.

2.1m la stapling machine .or the like of the irec'iprocable head type, an electric motor and a circuit, a main control switch for said circuit closed by insertion Lof the work in the machine `andopened when :the workis removed, head depressing means, a .clutch between the head depressing means .and motor that is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means energized .by `the closed circuit to clutch the head depressing means to the motor to depress the head; a normally closed switch in said circuit unaiected during head depression but opened by return movement of the head to break the circuit to -the electro-magnetically operated clutching means and permit spring return of the clutch to 1W .disconnect the head depressing means and motor, switch Aopening means movable with the head, means normally holding said switch opening means ragainst movement to switch opening engagement during depression of the head7 a second electro-magnetic meansin said circuit to move the switch opening means to a switch opening engaging position at approximately the limit of head depressionwhere the switch opening means is released and the switch may be opened by return movement of the head, said second electromagnetic means being de-energized upon opening of the main control switch by withdrawal of the work, and additional means to move the switch opening means out of switch opening engagement and return the same to normal holding position during completion of the return movement of the head.

3. In a stapling machine or the like of the reciprocable head type, an electric motor and a l circuit, a main control switch for said circuit closed by insertion of the work in the machine and opened when the work is removed, head depressing means, a clutch between the head depressing means and motor that is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means energized by the closed circuit to clutch the head depressing means to the motor to depress the head, a normally closed switch in said circuit unaiected during head depression but opened by return movement of the head to break the circuit tothe electro-magnetically operated clutching means and permit spring return of the clutch to disconnect the head depressing means and motor, a pivoted switch opening arm movable with the head, an extension on said normally closed switch movable to open the switch against its biased closed position, a head on said switch opening arm normally in a plane above said extension and held thereby against movement past the exten- 6. sion,meax1-s to -urge the head toward said extensioncand to move the .same to a position beneath the extension when the opening arm is carried Vdown by the depression of the stapler head to a point where the arm head :is below the extension whereby the switch is Vopened when the stapler head returns, .and additional means to reverse the movement or the switch opening arm to move the head of the same from beneath the switch extension `to permit closing of said switch and resumption 4of the previously held position.

4 iIn a stapling machine or the like of the reciprocable headltype, .an electric motor and a circuit,` a main control switch for said circuit closed by .insertion of the work in the machine and opened when the work is removed, head depressing means, a `clutch between the head depresszing means 'and motor that is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means `energized bythe closed circuit to clutch the head depressing Ameans to the motor to depress the head, a normally closed switch in said circuit unaffected .during head depression but opened by return vmovement of the head to break the circuit to the electro-magnetically operated clutch means and .permit spring return of the clutch to disconnect the head `depressing means and motor, a pivoted .switch opening arm movable with the head, an extension on said normally closed switch movable to open the switch against its biased closed position, .a head on said switch opening Aarm normally in a plane above `said extension and held thereby against movement past the extension, means to move the said arm and head toa position beneath the .plane 0I" the extension -as :the switch opening arm is carried down by the depression of the stapler head to a point where the arm head is below the extension, a second ,electro-magnetic means in the circuit to move the :said head beneath the switch extension to permit :closing Aof the switch upon return movement of the stapler head, and said second electromagnetic means being energized and de-energized by the main control switch that is operated by insertion and withdrawal of the work.

5. In a stapling machine or the like of the reciproc'able head type, an electric motor and a circuit, a main control switch for said circuit closed by insertion of the work in the machine and opened when the work is removed, head depressing means, a clutch between the head depressing means and motor that is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means energized by the closed circuit to clutch the head depressing means to the motor to depress the head, a normally closed switch in said circuit unaffected during head depression but opened by return movement of the head to break the circuit to the electro-magnetically operated clutching means and permit spring return of the clutch to disconnect the head depressing means and motor, a pivoted switch opening arm movable with the head, an extension on said normally closed switch movable to open the switch against its biased closed position, a head on said switch opening arm normally in a plane above said extension and held thereby against movement past the extension, means to m-ove the said arm and head to a position beneath the plane of the extension as the opening arm is carried down by the depression of the stapler head to a point where the arm head is below the extension, a second electro-magnetic means in the circuit to move the said head beneath the switch extension to permit closing of the switch upon return movement of the stapler head, said second electro-magnetic means beingenergized and de-energized by the main control switch that is operated by insertion and withdrawal of the work, and additional means to return the switch opening arm and head to their original position upon de-energization of said second electro-magetic means.

6. In a stapling machine or the like of the reciprocable head type, an electric motor and a circuit, a main control switch for said Icircuit closed by insertion of the work in the machine and opened when the work is removed, head depressing means, a clutch between the head depressing means and motor that is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means energized by the closed circuit to clutch the head depressing means to the motor to depress the head, fa normally closed switch in said circuit unaffected during head depression, power means to open saidv switch during return movement of the head to break the circuit to the electromagnetically operated clutching means and permit spring return ofthe clutch to disconnect the head depressing means and motor, switch openingmeans associated therewith, means normally holding said switch opening means against movement to switch opening engagement during depression of the head, and means to move said switch opening means into a position to release the holding means therefor and to permit it to open vsaid switch after the downward movement of the head is completed.

7. In a stapling machine or the like of the reciprocable head type, an electric motor and a circuit, a main control switch for said circuit closed, by insertion of the work in the machine and opened when the work is removed, head depressing means, a clutch between the head depressing means and motor that is spring biased to open position, electro-magnetic means energized by the closed circuit to clutch the head depressingmeans to the motor to depress the head, a normally closed switch in said circuit unaffected during head depression, power means to open said switch duringI return movement of the head to break the circuit to the electro-magnetically operated clutching means Iand permit spring return of the clutch to disconnect the head depressing means and motor, switch opening means associated therewith, means normally holding said switch opening means against movement to switch opening engagement during depression of the head, a second electro-magnetic means in said circuit to move the switch opening means to a switch opening engagingI position at approximately the limit of head depression where the switch opening means is released and the switch may be opened during return movement of the head, said second electro-magnetic means being de-energized upon opening of the main control switch by withdrawal of the work, and additional means to move the switch opening means out of switch opening engagement and return the same to normal holding position during completion of the return movement of the head.

8. A machine as dened by claim l wherein the head depressing means comprises a cam, and a shock absorber interposed between the lcam and machine head.

ROMEO M. NARDONE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,940,980 Svenson Dec. 26, 1933 2,088,350 Shanks July 27, 1937 2,993,689 Svenson Sept. 21, 1937 2,205,861 Oussoni June 25, 1940 2,272,533 Svenson Feb. 10, 1942 2,403,947 Oussoni July 16, 1946 2,500,217 Taylor Mar. 14, 1950 

